Seven days on from almost kicking Argentina to victory, Felipe Contepomi will return to Lansdowne Road today against Bourgoin (kick-off 5.15pm), in the Leinster number 12 shirt.

The 27-year-old - a substitute in Leinster's opening two European wins over Benetton Treviso (25-9) and Bath (30-11) - will partner Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll, with Gordon D'Arcy (groin) still absent.

Indeed it will be Contepomi's first European start for the province since signing a three-year contract in May 2003. Last season saw an administrative error rob Leinster of his services during the Pool stages.

Coach Declan Kidney has made two changes - the second being the swapping of Guy Easterby for Brian O'Meara at scrum-half - from the starting XV which ran out winners over Bath.

Easterby, 33, will also be making his first start for Leinster in the competition, behind an unchanged pack. 39-cap Irish international Victor Costello has shaken off a rib injury and packs down at number eight, beside Eric Miller and Shane Jennings.

Shane Horgan, the province's most potent attacker - with two tries in two Pool games - continues on the right wing.

Coach Kidney, perhaps wary of a potential hangover from his international stars, commented: "Bourgoin are second in the French Championship, and you don't get there by being a bad team.

"They slipped up against Treviso which was a little surprising, but that will make them doubly determined when facing us. They are very physical too, so we are prepared for a tough game."

Kidney's replacements - for Leinster's first ever meeting with Laurent Seigne's French side - are yet to be finalised.

Fit-again Roger Wilson has returned to Mark McCall's Ulster side, along with winger Scott Young and Ireland internationals David Humphreys and Kevin Maggs, for their daunting visit to Pool Six leaders Stade Francais (kick-off 1.00pm).

Despite missing Argentine scrum-half and captain Agustin Pichot, due to the Pumas' Test against South Africa, and injured France props Sylvain Marconnet (shoulder) and Peter de Villiers (arm), Stade will provide formidable opposition.

McCall's switches see Maggs - set for his seventh cap - and Humphreys replace Adam Larkin and Paul Steinmetz, with Andrew Maxwell losing out to Young - whose involvement sees recent Ireland cap Tommy Bowe file onto the left wing.

Recurring leg injuries, and an ankle strain in the run up to the US Eagles test, have seen 23-year-old Wilson inactive for a number of weeks, but his presence alone should boost an Ulster side who are still without a European win on French soil.

"We can't go over there looking for an honourable loss," said McCall, who has presided over five wins in 12 competitive outings this season.

"We have to go over there, and be positive - take the game to them, get the ball in hand and be really on top of our game.

"Stade have a very experienced pack and probably the best defensive lineout around so we will have to be clever in possession, and without it," he added.

The closest Ulster have come to edging Stade was last January's 13-10 loss - when Humphreys scored a first half try off a charge down of a Brian Liebenberg clearance kick.

However two Diego Dominguez penalties in the second half saw the Stade Jean Bouin residents to victory.

The countdown is on to the Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23. Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens & Women's Rugby, previews what promises to be an exciting couple of days.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Jenny Murphy talks about the progress made by the Ireland Women's Sevens team and their pool draw for the upcoming Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Conor Murray and Tommy Bowe speak to Irish Rugby TV about their Rugby World Cup preparations and thank the thousands of supporters who came out to see the players at the open training session at the Sportsground.

Ireland captain Paul O'Connell gives his verdict on the team's new Rugby World Cup jersey and talks about his move to French club Toulon. Ireland's RWC 2015 range is available to pre-order now from http://shop.irishrugby.ie.

Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens, talks about the target of a top three finish for both the Ireland Men and Women in Lisbon this weekend, as they continue on their quests for Olympic qualification.

Tom Daly, who recently captained the Ireland Men's Sevens team to the European Division C and B titles, is looking forward to playing in this weekend's Rugby Europe Olympic Repechage tournament in Lisbon, Portugal.

Ireland will host the 'Women's Sevens Dublin' at UCD on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23. Tournament director Garrett Tubridy and Ireland stars Lucy Mulhall, Jenny Murphy and Louise Galvin speak about their excitement ahead of the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series qualifier.

Coach Allen Clarke and stand-in captain Billy Holland answer questions from the media following Emerging Ireland's 45-12 victory over Georgia in the final round of their successful Tbilisi Cup campaign.

Emerging Ireland coach Allen Clarke speaks about his side's five-try 33-7 win over Uruguay in the Tbilisi Cup and the first half injury to captain Rhys Ruddock. They wrap up the tournament against hosts Georgia on Sunday.

Speaking about the floods that occurred following the Tbilisi Cup's first round, Emerging Ireland team manager Joey Miles said: "A natural event like that, a tragedy like that puts the game of rugby into perspective. We express our regrets to the Georgian people and the Georgian Union for the terrible tragedy that they had."

David O'Reilly from the IRFU Charitable Trust's Corporate Patrons Committee speaks about the new scheme which provides businesses with unique networking opportunities and provides a platform for companies to effectively activate their CSR programmes. For further information, please contact Linda Black of the Charitable Trust - telephone (01) 6473866 or email: linda.black@irfu.ie / http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/34728.php.